Bungee cord with hookless ends

ABSTRACT

A bungee cord with hookless ends includes an elastic body, a first attachment end, and a second attachment end. In a first preferred embodiment, the first and second attachment ends are spade attachment ends. Each spade attachment end includes a lock body, spade end and at least one lock slot. The spade end must be twisted to be inserted into the lock slot. The spade end is then twisted back to its original orientation to lock thereof in the lock slot. In a second embodiment, the first attachment end is a spade attachment end and the second attachment end is a tongue attachment end. The tongue attachment end includes a tongue body, a tongue hole, and a tongue extension. To lock the tongue attachment end, the tongue extension is inserted through a hole in an item until the spade contoured portion prevents further insertion. The tongue extension is then inserted through the tongue hole. In a third preferred embodiment, the first attachment end is a tongue attachment end and the second end is a strap attachment end. The strap attachment end includes a strap body with at least two slots for retention of a strap. In a fourth preferred embodiment, the first attachment end is a tongue attachment end and the second end is a spade attachment end.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This is a continuation-in-part application taking priority fromSer. No. 09/460,183 filed on Dec. 11, 1999.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates generally to bungee cords and morespecifically to a bungee cord with hookless ends that reduces thepossibility of injury to a user.

[0004] 2. Discussion of the Prior Art

[0005] A problem frequently encountered with bungee cords is theoccurrence of eye injuries while attaching the bungee cord. The dangerarises when people align their eye along the tension line of the bungeecord, hook one end of the bungee and then pull the cord to tighten it,only to have the hook come loose and hit them in the eye, according tothe Bungee Cord Registry found at http://www.eyemd-va.org/bungee.htm. Arecent survey of the Virginia Society of ophthalmology members showedthat over 50% of the doctors polled had treated bungee cord injuries.The danger appears to be the ability of the rigid metal hook end to actlike a bullet and push into or pierce the eye ball. Sometimes the injurywill heal, other times the person will lose their eye sight, and yetother times the eye ball has to be removed all together.

[0006] Accordingly, there is a clearly felt need in the art for a bungeecord with hookless ends which greatly reduces the possibility of injuryto a user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The primary objective of the present invention is to provide abungee cord with hookless ends which greatly reduces the possibility ofinjury to a user.

[0008] According to the present invention, a bungee cord with hooklessends includes an elastic body, a first attachment end, and a secondattachment end. In a first preferred embodiment, the first and secondattachment ends are spade attachment ends. Each spade attachment endincludes a lock body, spade end, and at least one lock slot. The atleast one lock slot is disposed in the lock body. The spade end must betwisted to be inserted into one of the lock slots. The spade end is thentwisted back to its original position to lock thereof in one of the lockslots. Each lock body is preferably wider than the elastic body.

[0009] In a second embodiment, the first attachment end is a spadeattachment end and the second attachment end is a tongue attachment end.The spade attachment end is the same as previously described. The tongueattachment end includes a tongue body, a tongue hole, and a tongueextension. The tongue body includes a spade contoured portion and astraight portion. The tongue hole is disposed in the straight portion ofthe tongue body. To lock the tongue attachment end, the tongue extensionis inserted through a hole in an item until the spade contoured portionprevents further insertion. The tongue extension is then insertedthrough the tongue hole. Pressure exerted by the elastic body inextension forces the tongue extension against the item and prevents thetongue extension from withdrawing from the tongue hole.

[0010] In a third preferred embodiment, the first attachment end is atongue attachment end and the second end is a strap attachment end. Thetongue attachment end is the same as previously described. The strapattachment end includes a strap body with at least two slots for theretention of a strap.

[0011] In a fourth preferred embodiment, the first attachment end is aspade attachment end and the second end is a strap attachment end.

[0012] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to providea bungee cord with hookless ends which reduces the possibility of injuryto a user.

[0013] It is a further object of the present invention to provide abungee cord with a strap attachment end which allows the use of a strapin conjunction with a bungee cord.

[0014] Finally, it is another object of the present invention to providea bungee cord with a tongue attachment end which allows the attachmentof a bungee cord through an item with a hole.

[0015] These and additional objects, advantages, features and benefitsof the present invention will become apparent from the followingspecification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016]FIG. 1 is a top view of a first preferred embodiment of a bungeecord having hookless ends in accordance with the present invention.

[0017]FIG. 2 is a side view of a first preferred embodiment of a bungeecord having hookless ends in accordance with the present invention.

[0018]FIG. 3 is a side view of a spade end being inserted into a lockslot in accordance with the present invention.

[0019]FIG. 3a is a bottom view of a spade end being inserted into a lockslot in accordance with the present invention.

[0020]FIG. 4 is a side view of a spade end locked in a lock slot inaccordance with the present invention.

[0021]FIG. 4a is a bottom view of a spade end locked in a lock slot inaccordance with the present invention.

[0022]FIG. 5 is a top view of a second preferred embodiment of a bungeecord having hookless ends in accordance with the present invention.

[0023]FIG. 6 is a side view of a second preferred embodiment of a bungeecord having hookless ends in accordance with the present invention.

[0024]FIG. 7 is a side view of a tongue extension inserted through ahole in an item in accordance with the present invention.

[0025]FIG. 8 is a side view of a tongue extension inserted through atongue hole and restraining the second preferred embodiment of a bungeecord with hookless ends from being withdrawn the hole in the item inaccordance with the present invention.

[0026]FIG. 9 is a top view of a third preferred embodiment of a bungeecord having hookless ends in accordance with the present invention.

[0027]FIG. 10 is a side view of a third preferred embodiment of a bungeecord having hookless ends in accordance with the present invention.

[0028]FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a strap retained ina strap attachment end in accordance with the present invention.

[0029]FIG. 12 is a top view of a fourth preferred embodiment of a bungeecord having hookless ends in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0030] With reference now to the drawings, and particularly to figure 1,there is shown a top view of a first preferred embodiment of a bungeecord with hookless ends 1. With reference to FIGS. 2-4 a, the bungeecord with hookless ends 1 includes an elastic body 10, a first spadeattachment end 12, and a second spade attachment end 14. Each spadeattachment end includes a lock body 16, a spade end 18 and at least onelock slot 20. Each lock slot 20 preferably has the shape of a circleterminated by a rectangle. However, the shape of each lock slot 20should not be limited to that shown in FIG. 1, but could be a rectangle,or any other suitable shape. Each lock slot 20 could be reinforced byembedding a metal slug into the lock body 16 with the lock slot 20formed through the metal slug. One lock slot 20 is shown in FIGS. 1, 3a,4 a, 5, and 12, but more than one lock slot 20 may be formed in each ofthe lock bodies 16, 24, or 52.

[0031] The elastic body 10 and the lock bodies 16 are preferablyfabricated from a single piece of elastic material such as rubber,poly-urethane plastic, or multi-strand elastic. The elastic body 10could also be fabricated from any other suitable elastic material whichis presently known or not yet invented. Alternatively, the lock body 16could be made of nylon webbing that is molded into or bonded to an endof the elastic body 10. The elastic body 10 could also be covered with abraided nylon cover. The spades 18 are preferably rubber over molded onthe ends of the elastic bodies 16. The spades 18 could also be plasticover molded on the ends of the elastic bodies 16. The spades 18 could beformed by bonding or embedding rubber, plastic or any other substance tothe ends of the elastic bodies 16. The lock bodies 16 are preferablywider at a center than at the ends thereof. The increased width willcompensate for stretching of the lock bodies 16 during usage.

[0032] In use, each spade end 18 is wrapped around an item 100. Thespade end 18 is twisted for insertion into the lock slot 20. The lengthof the lock slot 20 allows the length of the spade end 18 to be insertedtherethrough. The spade end 18 is then twisted back to its originalorientation to lock thereof in the lock slot 20. The lock body 16 ispulled back to insure that the spade end 18 is locked in the lock slot20.

[0033] With reference to FIGS. 5-8, a second preferred embodiment of thebungee cord with hookless ends 2 includes an elastic body 22, a spadeattachment end 24, and a tongue attachment end 26. The spade attachmentend 24 is fabricated and used the same way as previously described. Thetongue attachment end 26 includes a tongue body 28, a tongue hole 30,and a tongue extension 32. The tongue body 28 includes a spade contouredportion 34 and a straight portion 36. The tongue hole 30 is disposed inthe straight portion 28 of the tongue body. The tongue hole 30 may bereinforced with a metal sleeve or the like. The tongue attachment end26, the elastic body 22, and the spade attachment end 24 are preferablyfabricated from a single piece of elastic material such as rubber ormulti-strand elastic. The elastic body 22 could also be fabricated fromany other suitable elastic material which is presently known or not yetinvented.

[0034] In use, the tongue attachment end 26 is locked to an item 102having a hole 104. To lock the tongue attachment end 26 to the item 102,the tongue extension 32 is inserted through the hole 104 in the item 102until the spade contoured portion 34 prevents further insertion. Thetongue extension 32 is then inserted through the tongue hole 30.Pressure “A” exerted by the elastic body 22 in extension forces thetongue extension 32 against the item 102 and prevents the tongueextension 30 from withdrawing from the tongue hole 30.

[0035] With reference to FIGS. 9-11, a third preferred embodiment of thebungee cord with hookless ends 3 includes an elastic body 38, a tongueattachment end 40, and a strap attachment end 42. The tongue attachmentend 40 is fabricated and used the same way as previously described. Thestrap attachment end 42 includes a strap body 44 with at least two slots46 for retention of a strap 48. The strap body 44 is preferably taperedas shown to compensate for stretching during usage. The strap attachmentend 42 could be fabricated from the same material as the elastic body 38or could be a separate piece which is molded into or bonded to theelastic body 38. In use, the strap 48 may be attached to the bungee cordwith hookless ends 3 by inserting thereof through the slots 46 in thestrap body 44. The bungee cord with hookless ends 3 may be used forretaining tarpaulins over boats and the like. The strap attachment ends42 of two bungee cords with hookless ends 3 are attached to each end ofa strap. The tongue attachment ends 40 are inserted through the grommetsin the tarpaulins and the strap adjusted until the tarpaulin is securelyretained.

[0036] With reference to FIG. 12, a fourth preferred embodiment of thebungee cord with hookless ends 4 includes an elastic body 50, a spadeattachment end 40, and a strap attachment end 42.

[0037] The elastic bodies, lock bodies, and attachment ends of allembodiments may all or singularly have a florescent color.

[0038] While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changesand modifications may be made without departing from the invention inits broader aspects, and therefore, the aim in the appended claims is tocover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spiritand scope of the invention.

I claim:
 1. A bungee cord with hookless ends comprising: an elastic bodyhaving a first end and a second end; a first spade end terminating saidfirst end, a second spade end terminating said second end; and at leastone first lock slot being disposed near said first end, at least onesecond lock slot being disposed near said second end thereof, said firstspade end being insertable into one of said first lock slots, saidsecond spade end being insertable into one of said second lock slots. 2.The bungee cord with hookless ends of claim 1 , wherein: said firstspade end being twisted to allow insertion into said first lock slot,said second spade end being twisted to allow insertion into said secondlock slot.
 3. The bungee cord with hookless ends of claim 1 , wherein:said elastic body having a greater width adjacent said first and secondlock slots.
 4. The bungee cord with hookless ends of claim 1 , wherein:said first spade end being fabricated of an over molded material, saidsecond spade end being fabricated of an over molded material.
 5. Thebungee cord with hookless ends of claim 1 , wherein: said first spadeend being fabricated by bonding a material thereto, said second spadeend being fabricated by bonding a material thereto.
 6. The bungee cordwith hookless ends of claim 1 , wherein: said elastic body having aflorescent color.
 7. The bungee cord with hookless ends of claim 1 ,wherein: said elastic body being fabricated from poly-urethane plastic.8. A bungee cord with hookless ends comprising: an elastic body having afirst end and a second end; a first spade end terminating said firstend, a second spade end terminating said second end; and at least onefirst lock slot being disposed near said first end, at least one secondlock slot being disposed near said second end thereof, said first spadeend being twisted to allow insertion into one of said first lock slots,said second spade end being twisted to allow insertion into one of saidsecond lock slots.
 9. The bungee cord with hookless ends of claim 8 ,wherein: said elastic body having a greater width adjacent said firstand second lock slots.
 10. The bungee cord with hookless ends of claim 8, wherein: said first spade end being fabricated of an over moldedmaterial, said second spade end being fabricated of an over moldedmaterial.
 11. The bungee cord with hookless ends of claim 8 , wherein:said first spade end being fabricated by bonding a material thereto,said second spade end being fabricated by bonding a material thereto.12. The bungee cord with hookless ends of claim 8 , wherein: saidelastic body having a florescent color.
 13. The bungee cord withhookless ends of claim 8 , wherein: said elastic body being fabricatedfrom poly-urethane plastic.
 14. A bungee cord with hookless endscomprising: an elastic body having a first end and a second end; a firstspade end terminating said first end, a second spade end terminatingsaid second end; and at least one first lock slot being disposed nearsaid first end, at least one second lock slot being disposed near saidsecond end thereof, said first spade end being twisted to allowinsertion into one of said first lock slots, said second spade end beingtwisted to allow insertion into one of said second lock slots; and saidelastic body having a greater width adjacent said first and second lockslots.
 15. The bungee cord with hookless ends of claim 14 , wherein:said first spade end being fabricated of an over molded material, saidsecond spade end being fabricated of an over molded material.
 16. Thebungee cord with hookless ends of claim 14 , wherein: said first spadeend being fabricated by bonding a material thereto, said second spadeend being fabricated by bonding a material thereto.
 17. The bungee cordwith hookless ends of claim 14 , wherein: said elastic body having aflorescent color.
 18. The bungee cord with hookless ends of claim 14 ,wherein: said elastic body being fabricated from poly-urethane plastic.